Preheater Patents (Class 202/177)
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Patent number: 5487814Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for ensuring the sterility of distillate in a multi-stage distilling machine. All feed water of the multi-stage distilling machine flows through a first column operating at the highest temperature so that the temperature of the feed water is equal to or greater than about 121.degree. C., about 131.degree. C., and about 141.degree. C., respectively, and the delay time after the feed water is removed from the first column and before its entry into the first column is at least about 8 minutes, about 0.8 minutes, 0.08 minutes, respectively. The delay produces the result that the distillate of every column of the multi-stage distilling machine is sterile, including that of the last column operating at the lowest temperature. The feed water flows through a first flow line from a second column to the first column, from the first column through a second flow line to a heat exchanger and returns from the heat exchanger through a third flow line to the first column.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1993Date of Patent: January 30, 1996Assignee: Finn-Aqua Santasalo-Sohlberg OyInventor: Lauri Santasalo
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Patent number: 5484510Abstract: A water distillation apparatus and method include an improved control system for operation and maintenance, condensers with plastic to metal seals between a plastic condenser manifold and metallic cooling tubes, and a filter with steam bypass to allow for easy sterilization of the filter and remaining distillation system. The control system includes a three pronged probe assembly for monitoring conditions within an evaporation chamber. One of the three probes monitors steam conductivity and provides a steam fault signal to indicate an upper level of contaminants in the steam. A purge pump is responsive to fault signals, including the steam fault signal, to pump water from the evaporation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1993Date of Patent: January 16, 1996Assignee: Dew Enterprises, Inc.Inventors: Micheal O. Hartman, Dale J. Kinder, Randy E. Rainey, Arthur R. Helmich, Daniel E. Willis
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Patent number: 5458739Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping volatiles from a feed stream and concentrating the volatiles in the overhead vapors forming a condensate product and simultaneously producing a low percent volatiles outlet stream as a concentrate product. The volatiles separator and concentrator, ("VSC"), unit has many applications in the reduction and the concentration of volatiles in the beverage, fuel, and industrial alcohol industries, as well as in chemical applications for removing or stripping volatiles from heat sensitive feed substrates which require low temperatures and a short residence time to prevent degradation of the product.The preferred embodiment of the VSC unit utilizes a short feed stream preheat contact time in combination with turbulent high velocity flow at temperatures below 100.degree. F. to provide flash aporization for volatiles separation with reboil capability to adjust volatiles concentration in the residue and product. The application of high vacuum in the range of 27" to 28.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1994Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: Vendome Copper & Brass WorksInventors: Armand R. Boucher, Philip N. Hambrick
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Patent number: 5395483Abstract: A distillation apparatus by flashing and boiling of solution and condensing the resulting steam having a central rotating partitioned brine conduit with coupling to a two-disk centrifugal distributor and a wiping blade system in a chamber having at least one conically shaped wall heated by a condensing steam in a spirally formed conduit, and a surrounding annular spiral condenser. The vertical stacking of such conically shaped evaporators and annular spiral condensers with brine inflow and outflow through a central rotating partitioned tubular conduit make up the desalination tower. The solution flowing through the central tubular conduit to the centrifugal distributor is pressurized by the centrifugal force before flashing through spray nozzles. The flowing liquid film formed on the heated conical surface boils with further enhancement from thinning action due to a rotating wiping pivoting blade system.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1992Date of Patent: March 7, 1995Inventor: Osamah M. Al-Hawaj
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Patent number: 5348622Abstract: This disclosure relates to an improved solar water purification system and process wherein the evaporating, condensing and distillate collecting chambers are located underground to assist in the evaporation and condensation process. The system includes three computer controlled preheaters which are constantly monitored to determine the temperature of the load therein. The cycling and recycling of the load relative to the load tank and the three preheaters is controlled by the computer for optimum system efficiency. One of the three preheaters is located underground, while a second preheater is located externally as a solar preheater and the third preheater is an outside gas, oil or waste heat fired preheater. In addition to producing pure water through the evaporation process, there is disclosed a system and process whereby various contaminants may be captured for further processing, storage and exploitation.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1993Date of Patent: September 20, 1994Inventors: David Deutsch, Thomas C. Flores
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Patent number: 5340443Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation apparatus including a housing (1) a blower (2), preheat exchangers (7) and (8) and an evaporative condenser (25) comprising pairs (13) of membranes. One pair (13) of membranes at a time can be detached from the evaporative condenser (25) for replacement. The pairs (13) of membranes are preferably made of plastic or similar material and they hang down loosely in the evaporative condenser.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1993Date of Patent: August 23, 1994Assignee: Aquamax OyInventors: Tapio M. Heinio, Mauri Kontu
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Patent number: 5316626Abstract: In a method for producing fresh water using solar energy, the method involving the use of an installation comprising a structure oriented toward the sun and permeable to solar radiation, forming a greenhouse including a preheating and reheating chamber and an evaporation chamber into which water containing impurities is introduced to be evaporated by the indirect influence of the solar radiation in the air trapped under the structure, the air being conveyed to a temperature exchanger such that the vapors carried thereby will be condensed and collected, the improvement comprising evaporation of the water containing impurities on mounds of capillary material scattered and distributed over the entire span of the evaporation chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 1992Date of Patent: May 31, 1994Inventor: Blondel Guy
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Patent number: 5314586Abstract: A distilled water fountain which is capable of supplying the users with purified icy, warm and hot drinking water and composed of a pre-heating exchanger, a condensing-and-heating exchanger, a distilled water tank, a steam generator, and an electronic chilling device. Running water flows into the pre-heating exchanger through water intake pipe, and further flows through the condensing-and-heating exchange into a steam generator wherein the water is vaporized and then condensed into distilled water for storage in the distilled water tank. The distilled water may be made available directly in warm water condition, or may be cooled into icy water through electronic chilling device, or heated into hot water through steam generator for drinking by users.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1992Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Inventor: Chan-Ming Chen
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Patent number: 5312524Abstract: A distillation system for recovery of volatile components of contaminated liquids used in an industrial process includes a tube assembly including outer tubes to which hot bottoms liquids are supplied and inner tubes to which process liquids are supplied for transfer of heat from the bottoms to the process liquids. From the tube assembly the two liquids are discharged into the still through separate, elongated, parallel discharge pipes. The process liquids discharge pipe is positioned above the bottoms liquids discharge pipe and an elongated, metal, angle plate is positioned as an inverted V between the two discharge pipes. Efficiency is improved over prior systems wherein process liquids are added to the still without being preheated by the bottoms fluids, and without the unique still intake manifold.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1992Date of Patent: May 17, 1994Assignee: Filter Tech, Inc.Inventor: Lyle B. Barcomb
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Patent number: 5300197Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes a distillation unit for distilling feed water. The distillation unit includes an evaporation part, a condensation part and a hydrophobic porous membrane interposed between the evaporation part and the condensation part, which are integrated with one another. A heating unit for heating the feed water and a cooling portion for cooling distillate produced by distillation of the feed water are provided apart from the distillation unit. One or both of the heating unit and the cooling unit are provided with a heat pump. With this construction, an additional heater does not need to be provided, and the distillation unit and both of the heating unit and the cooling unit can be changed in size and performance independently of each other, so that the overall size of the distillation apparatus can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1990Date of Patent: April 5, 1994Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Mitani, Akira Ashida, Katsuya Ebara, Hideaki Kurokawa
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Patent number: 5286350Abstract: A water distiller includes a raw water chamber for storing raw water, a main vaporization tank coupled with the raw water chamber for vaporizing raw water, a condensation device coupled with the main vaporization tank for condensing steam from the main vaporization tank, and a distilled water chamber communicated with the condensing conduit unit for accepting and storing distilled water. An auxiliary vaporization tank is communicated with the main vaporization tank and is mounted on the top end portion of the main vaporization tank. Each of the main and auxiliary vaporization tanks has a generally conical top wall which has a lower end portion that is provided with an annular water collecting groove formed in the inner surface thereof. Each of the water collecting grooves has a bottom wall which has a discharge opening formed therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 1992Date of Patent: February 15, 1994Inventor: Shan-Meng Huang
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Patent number: 5232556Abstract: A water desalination apparatus which is constructed of a main housing which includes a condensation chamber and a vapor chamber located above the condensation chamber. Brackish water is to be supplied into the vapor chamber with this brackish water to produce a vapor which is to be removed by a centrifugal compressor arrangement into the condensation chamber. The condensed brackish water from the vapor chamber is to flow through a mass of thin-walled tubes to be eventually discharged into the ambient. The exterior wall of these tubes is located within the condensation chamber and it is on the walls of these tubes that the distilled water vapor is to collect and condense and flow from the condensation chamber to a collection source.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1991Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Inventor: Frank J. Passarelli
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Patent number: 5232557Abstract: In a plate heat exchanger for evaporation of a liquid by means of a heat emitting vapor every second plate interspace forms an evaporation passage (28) and the rest of the plate interspaces form condensation passages (30). Aligned openings (16) in the plates form an inlet channel through the plate heat exchanger for introduction of evaporation liquid into the evaporation passages (28). For enabling use of a large inlet area of each condensation passage (30) and a large outlet area of each evaporation passage (28) the plate heat exchanger is arranged in a container (1), the interior of which is divided in two chambers (6, 7) by the plate heat exchanger itself and a partition (5).Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1992Date of Patent: August 3, 1993Assignee: Alfa-Laval Desalt A/SInventors: Mauri Kontu, Mogens Heine, Niels-Erik Clausen, Ralf Blomgren
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Patent number: 5227027Abstract: A water distillation system and process capable of high efficiency operation used in combination with a heat pump system wherein the water distillation apparatus includes a water pre-heating device positioned within the feed water to heat the feed water to approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate operation of a water evaporator device which vaporizes the water by boiling thereof. Contaminants are removed from this pure water vapor which is at approximately 215 degrees Fahrenheit. The water vapor is passed to a water condenser to provide high purity water at approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat pump system provides for refrigerant condensing at approximately 225 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate boiling of the water in the adjacent water evaporator and includes refrigerant vaporization adjacent the water condenser to facilitate absorbing and reclaiming of the latent heat of the distillate.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1991Date of Patent: July 13, 1993Inventor: Robert T. Topper
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Patent number: 5181991Abstract: The disclosure relates to an improved solar water purification apparatus. More specifically, it relates to a solar water purification apparatus that includes a first and second preheater, an evaporation load tank, condenser, and pure distillate collecting tank. The condensing surface is a domed upper structure which includes a corrugated inner surface to increase the condensing surface. The outersurface of the domed upper structure is likewise corrugated and completely enclosed by a first preheater chamber the permit efficient cooling of the domed upper structure and encourage rapid condensation, thus transferring heat from the interior corrugations to the exterior corrugations of the first preheater chamber, further adding to the overall thermal efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 1991Date of Patent: January 26, 1993Inventor: David Deutsch
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Patent number: 5176798Abstract: A system is disclosed for recovering and disposing of volatile organic contaminants, from water contaminated with organics, which system includes a pump to feed water from the body of contaminated water to the system, with indirect heat exchange and direct steam addition to raise the temperature of the water, a stripping vessel to strip the heated water with gas to strip the volatile contaminants from the water, gas supply to provide stripping gas to the vessel conduits to pass the removed volatile contaminants to a vessel containing a bed of adsorbent selective for the removal organics and regenerating the near-saturated bed by stripping with ambient air heated by heat exchange with the exhaust gas from a fuel-fired heater, passing the contaminant-containing regenerating gas from the regenerating bed to said fuel-fired heater, and combusting the contaminants in said fuel-fired heater.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 1991Date of Patent: January 5, 1993Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: John B. Rodden
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Patent number: 5158649Abstract: When regenerating gas treating chemicals such as diethanolamine solution, the usual practice is to subject the chemicals to steam stripping. Ultimately such action is ineffective, and it is necessary to discard the chemicals. The waste chemical can be reclaimed by preheating the chemical in a countercurrent heat exchanger, in which heat is recovered from an already processed product; using a still to separate the preheated, partially vaporized chemical from the remainder of the chemicals; i.e. impurities or still bottoms; heating the still bottoms and recycling such bottoms for mixing with partially vaporized chemical immediately upstream of the still; returning the separated vapor product from the still to the heat exchanger for heating feed chemical; and separating the thus partially condensed product in a separator to yield reclaimed gas treating chemical.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 1991Date of Patent: October 27, 1992Inventors: Todd Beasley, Dwight A. Merritt
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Patent number: 5139620Abstract: Evaporation of saline water in a desalinization process, or evaporation of other types of liquid such as black liquor from paper pulp processing, is accomplished utilizing a multiple effect evaporator. Each effect includes one or more (e.g. first and second) sets of horizontally elongated dimpled plate evaporator elements. Horizontally flowing heating fluid, such as steam, is introduced to the internal passage of at least the second set in all the effects, and a head of circulation liquid is provided to cause liquid being evaporated to flow downwardly from the head over the external surfaces of the sets of dimpled plates in a thin film. The vapor evaporated is drawn through a demistor and is used as the heating fluid for the next effect. Recirculating liquid that has not evaporated and liquid separated by the demisting process are recirculated to the head associated with each effect. Clean condensate--such as distilled water--is withdrawn from the last effect.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 1990Date of Patent: August 18, 1992Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.Inventors: Carl E. Elmore, Kyle Infante
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Patent number: 5133837Abstract: A multi-stage flash evaporator is constructed so that the evaporator elements are dimpled plates mounted so that they extend horizontally. One, two, or more sets of plates may be mounted in each evaporator stage, the sets stacked upon one another in a tier arrangement. Each stage may be formed by a circular cross-section vessel, with I-beams--or like supports--extending horizontally at about the horizontal diameter of the vessel, and supporting the dimpled plates on them. A condensate collection trough is mounted below the dimpled plates and at the I-beams, the I-beams having openings in them through which condensate collected by the trough passes from one end of the vessel to the other. The hot liquid --such as sea water to be desalinated--to be evaporated is passed into a bottom chamber of each stage vessel, with vapor flowing upwardly through demistors and channels, into contact with the dimpled plates, and the condensate falling as a thin film down the plates and collecting in the condensate trough.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1990Date of Patent: July 28, 1992Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.Inventors: Carl L. Elmore, Kyle D. Infante
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Patent number: 5096543Abstract: The waste heat from a steam turbine is condensed and used to desalinate sea water at the same time. The waste steam from a turbine is fed to a condenser through which cold sea water passes. As the cold sea water condenses the waste steam, it is warmed. It is then introduced into a first chamber which includes a number of spray heads disposed over fill (packing) that acts as an evaporator. Any water not evaporated is collected in a sump at the bottom of the first chamber, and the evaporated vapor is passed upwardly under the influence of a fan and ultimately to a second chamber. The second chamber may either be stacked above the first chamber, or in side-by-side relationship with it. A condenser, such as a number of dimpled metal plates, or plastic membranes defining a closed loop, or another set of spray heads and fill, are provided in the second chamber. Air typically recirculates from the bottom of the second chamber back into the first chamber.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 1990Date of Patent: March 17, 1992Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.Inventor: Carl L. Elmore
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Patent number: 5094721Abstract: An evaporation system and process including an enclosed housing containing a plurality of shallow trays stacked vertically, one above another above a bottom-most heated reservoir with each tray serving as an evaporator and with the bottom of each tray serving as a condenser for the next lower tray and with the bottom of each tray sloping from the center outward to an outer collection trough and having a controlled supply of heat and feed liquid providing a substantially continuous supply of a regulated amount of feed liquid, with water being the primary example.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1990Date of Patent: March 10, 1992Inventor: John P. Petrek
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Patent number: 5076895Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water and solids from aqueous solids are disclosed. Aqueous solids are mixed with a low viscosity, relatively volatile, water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to obtain a mixture which will remain fluid and pumpable after removal of essentially its entire water content. The mixture of solids, water and fluidizing oil is subjected to a dehydration step by means of a plurality of mechanical vapor recompression evaporators operating in staged array whereby substantially all of the water and at least part of the light oil are evaporated and subsequently recovered. The light fluidizing oil is then largely separated from the solids. Residual fluidizing oil may be removed from the solids by direct contact with a hot blowing gas such as blowing steam. The invention is characterized by the conservation of energy through the use of heat exchangers whereby condensate gives up its heat to the feed.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 1990Date of Patent: December 31, 1991Assignee: Hanover Research CorporationInventors: Charles Greenfield, deceased, Robert E. Casparian
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Patent number: 5061348Abstract: An apparatus and method for reprocessing waste piranha containing contaminated H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 from, for example, a semiconductor processing operation is described. The apparatus and method include a first distillation flask which is maintained under a substantial vacuum. The first distillation flask includes a first column packed with a column packing material and an input pipe for refluxing to retard loss of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 in the first distillation. The second distillation flask boils off substantially pure H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and provides for a continuous automatic purge of the contaminants from the second distillation flask thus improving the purity of the H.sub.2 SO.sub.4. The substantially pure H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 flows through a column which is coupled to a condenser which condenses substantially pure H.sub.2 SO.sub.4.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 1990Date of Patent: October 29, 1991Assignee: Alameda InstrumentsInventors: Marshall W. McCormick, Jesse C. Dobson
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Patent number: 5053110Abstract: The disclosure relates to a solar-operated apparatus to purify and/or desalinate water. Several embodiments are disclosed, each of which substantially derives its source of heat from solar energy. The apparatus includes a unique design of the evaporating collector dome which is provided with a smooth interior surface to permit collection of increased amounts of distillate. The apparatus exterior is provided with a black surface to serve as a black body and so absorb increased amounts of the sun's energy. Additionally, that same exterior is coated with a film of infra-red absorbing material (STET) to further increase solar-energy absorption. To further improve the system's efficiency, various external tubing designs are utilized to preheat the load prior to its entry into the evaporating chamber. The distillate-collecting vessel is a downwardly-extending dome. This increases the volume while at the same time reducing re-evaporation by minimizing the exposed surface area.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 1990Date of Patent: October 1, 1991Inventor: David Deutsch
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Patent number: 5045155Abstract: The disclosed invention is an apparatus and process for the distillation of liquids. The apparatus is comprised of a plurality of vertically stacked parallel disks which are rotated in a horizontal plane. The liquid to be distilled is introduced into the center of the disk stack and migrates by centrifugal force as a thin film across the top surface of each disk. During migration, the more volatile portion evaporates from the top surface and condenses on the bottom surface of a top, neighboring disk. The apparatus is multiple-effect in that the heat evolved from condensation is transferred through the thin, heat-conducting disks to provide the heat necessary for vaporization.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1989Date of Patent: September 3, 1991Inventor: Arnold Ramsland
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Patent number: 4995945Abstract: A counter-current contacting device which includes a number of features which increase the efficiency and/or increase the pressure differential across the device is disclosed. Systems for reducing the alcohol content of an alcohol containing beverage or wine, for stripping aroma and flavor from a fruit juice and for desulphuring a liquid containing dissolved sulphur dioxide are also disclosed. Each of these systems incorporate a counter-current contact device of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 1988Date of Patent: February 26, 1991Assignee: Flavourtech Pty. Ltd.Inventor: Andrew J. M. Craig
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Patent number: 4966654Abstract: The invention is a system for removing volitile hydrocarbon contaminates from both water and moisture-ladened air. In detail the invention comprises a stripping system preferably a steam stripping system, for mixing the contaminated water with steam, at below atmospheric pressure, providing clean water for reuse and contaminated steam and vaporized hydrocarbon contaminates. A first condenser receives the contaminated steam and vaporized hydrocarbon contaminates and condenses, at below atmospheric pressure, a portion of the vaporized contaminates and a portion of the contaminated steam into contaminate water. A second condenser thereafter further condenses the steam and hydrocarbon vapor.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 1989Date of Patent: October 30, 1990Assignee: AWD Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Terrance K. Carberry
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Patent number: 4959127Abstract: A system for desalinating saltwater. The system includes a platform container and a plastic dome covering through which solar ray heat passes to distall the saltwater fed therein and thereby separate therefrom distilled fresh water.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1987Date of Patent: September 25, 1990Inventor: Claus G. Michna
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Patent number: 4917770Abstract: A vertically extending distillation cylinder has a closed top and an open bottom having an electric heating element disposed therein to form a closure. Adjacent to the top of the distillation cylinder is connected a condensing tube. The condensing tube extends down through a condenser having a cooling water inlet at the bottom and a water discharge at the top. A throttle valve regulates the flow of cooling water. From the water discharge, a trough carries the water to impinge on the distillation cylinder causing pollutants to vaporize. The water collects below in a basin surrounding the distillation cylinder. A feed tube carries water from the basin to the bottom of the distillation cylinder. A discharge tube also connected to the bottom of the distillation cylinder carries water up to where it makes a U-turn. This regulates water height in the distillation cylinder. The discharge tube and an over flow tube from the basin discharge into a funnel from which water is conveyed to a sewer.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1989Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Inventors: Charles T. Asbury, Genevieve J. Asbury
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Patent number: 4917771Abstract: A column construction or boiling space in a distilling apparatus, having a pure vapor input connector, an input connector for water to be distilled, numerous heat exchange tubes within the column construction, a pure vapor removal connector, a condensate removal connector, and a connector for removing water to be distilled that has not vaporized. Pure steam is disposed to flow through heat exchange tubes, while impure water to be distilled is disposed to flow through an intermediate space between the heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes are, at both ends, joined to flanges.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 1988Date of Patent: April 17, 1990Assignee: Oy Santasalo-Sohlberg OyInventors: Lauri Santasalo, Esko Huhta-Koivisto, Jouko Ruokonen
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Patent number: 4863570Abstract: Process for the fractional distillation of a liquid under vacuum comprising preheating a liquid to be distilled, forming under vacuum the preheated liquid into a first series of thin sheets of falling liquid to be distilled, and a cooling liquid into a second series of thin sheets of falling cooling liquid, the thin sheets of the first series being alternately arranged with the thin sheets of the second series, in close proximity to one another. Part of the liquid to be distilled is vaporized and passed to the thin sheets of cooling liquid to form liquid distillate and separately recovering the liquid distillate with the cooling liquid and the non-vaporized part of the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1987Date of Patent: September 5, 1989Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventor: Enno F. Wijn
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Patent number: 4846240Abstract: A high efficiency open-cycle absorptive approach to compressing steam or other vapor is disclosed, especially useful for industrial evaportion via recompression. Referring to FIG. 1, low pressure steam from evaporator 1 is absorbed in an aqueous absorbent solution so as to release heat in both absorber 7 and GAX exchanger 8. External heat is applied to generator 12. Steam at higher pressure is desorbed from both gnerator 12 and GAX exchanger 8, and used to heat evaporator 1. Absorber 7 heat is also used to heat and evaporate the mixture undergoing evaporation.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 1987Date of Patent: July 11, 1989Inventor: Donald C. Erickson
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Patent number: 4846934Abstract: The invention is a system for removing volatile hydrocarbon contaminates from both water and moisture-ladened air. In detail the invention comprises a steam stripping system for mixing the contaminated water with steam, at below atmospheric pressure, providing clean water for reuse and contaminated steam and vaporized hydrocarbon contaminates. A first condenser receives the contaminated steam and vaporized hydrocarbon contaminates and condenses, at below atmospheric pressure, a portion of the vaporized contaminates and a portion of the contaminated steam into contaminate water. A second condenser thereafter further condenses the steam and hydrocarbon vapor.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1988Date of Patent: July 11, 1989Assignee: Lockheed CorporationInventor: Terrance K. Carberry
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Patent number: 4830711Abstract: A method of and system for recovering a solvent from a mixture of solvent and hydrocarbons, the system comprising at least two evaporation flasks successively fed with a charge consisting of said mixture to be separated, at least one steam generator performing the condensation of the solvent, a circuit for conveying the evaporated solvent and connecting the flasks to the generator and a circuit of an intermediate fluid in gaseous phase including a compressor for raising the condensation temperature of this fluid, the latter circuit connecting the generator to heat exchangers arranged upstream of each flask.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1987Date of Patent: May 16, 1989Assignee: Compagnie Francaise d'Etudes et de Construction "Technip"Inventors: Patricia Delbourgo, Michel Coupard, Jean-Jacques Delorme
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Patent number: 4814044Abstract: In a technique for recovering hydrocarbon values from a heavy hydrocarbon-water mixture, the mixture is first delivered through a sub-assembly to remove solid particulates. Then the mixture is delivered through a series of heat exchanger--kettle arrangements in which the mixture is heated above the boiling point of water. Some of the steam formed is allowed to escape through steam removal devices in the heat exchanger. The inside of the heat exchanger includes a plurality of discrete baffles which are unconnected to the heat exchanger and which can be readily removed therefrom. Heating of the mixture continues in the kettles where the bulk of the water is boiled off the mixture. A heavy hydrocarbon oil is recovered in the liquid outlet from the last kettle. The vapors boiled off are recovered and condensed to recover a light hydrocarbon oil and quite pure water.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 1987Date of Patent: March 21, 1989Inventor: Franz A. Hitt
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Patent number: 4808262Abstract: A method and apparatus for devolatilizing high viscosity polymer solutions are provided wherein high viscosity polymer solutions are heated along a short zone of indirect heat exchange. The residence time within the zone of indirect heat exchange ranges from approximately 5 seconds to 120 seconds.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1987Date of Patent: February 28, 1989Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Viney P. Aneja, John P. Skilbeck
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Patent number: 4767502Abstract: A steam generator, especially a pure steam generator, having a feed line for conducting feed water to the same, an electrode system for heating the feed water, a steam outlet for removing generated steam, and a separating space in a lower part of the generator 10, along with a droplet separator through which the steam that has been generated is disposed to flow from the separating space to the steam outlet. Electrodes have been placed in small tubular spaces in a water space (i.e. a space receiving incoming feed water). The steam generator may be used in a multi-stage distilling apparatus by conducting the steam that has been formed to a second column or stage of the distilling apparatus, to constitute feed steam therefor.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1987Date of Patent: August 30, 1988Assignee: Oy Santasalo-Sohlberg ABInventors: Lauri Santasalo, Esko Santasalo
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Patent number: 4756802Abstract: A distillation device for distilling liquids, using concentrated solar energy to evaporate the undistilled liquid. A lens focuses solar rays into a concentrated area on the outer surface of an opaque heat target, the inner surface of which is in contact with the undistilled liquid in a container. The heat target evaporates the liquid, and the steam is condensed within a dome over the container, the dome having a plurality of cooling fins. The dome is cooled by compressed air, which circulates through an air conduit which spirals around the dome from top to bottom. The distilled liquid is conducted through a pipeline through the undistilled liquid in the container, and then out of the container.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1986Date of Patent: July 12, 1988Inventor: David S. Finney
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Patent number: 4749447Abstract: This invention discloses a solar still comprising a plurality of twin conduits routed through a plurality of solar collectors wherein the liquid is evaporated in the evaporation conduit constituting the first of the twin conduits and the vapor is condensed in the condensation conduit constituting the second conduit of the twin conduits. The evaporation conduit and the condensation conduit are separated from one another by a heat conducting element. A plurality of vapor conduits branching off from the evaporation conduits are connected to the condensation conduits via at least one pump or blower. The liquid fed to the evaporation conduit evaporates to vapor under an evacuated state provided by the pump or blower after being heated by the solar energy collected and supplied by the solar collector and/or by the latent heat released in and supplied by the condensation conduit wherein the vapor is condensed to liquid under a pressurized state provided by the pump or blower.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 1986Date of Patent: June 7, 1988Inventor: Hyok S. Lew
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Patent number: 4680090Abstract: This invention relates to a distillation device that employs a plurality of twin tubings of coaxial arrangement or of side-by-side arrangement wherein the vaporization takes place at an evacuated state in one tubing and the condensation takes place in the other tubing of the twin tubings. A blower or pump moves the vapor from the vaporization tubing to the condensation tubing and, consequently, creates an evacuated state in the vaporization tubing and a pressurized state in the condensation tubing. As the condensation takes place at a higher pressure in the condensation tubing compared with the vaporization in the vaporization tubing, the temperature of the condensation tubing is higher than the temperature of the vaporization tubing, and consequently, a very high percentage of the latent heat released by the condensing vapor is recycled from the condensation tubing to the vaporization tubing by conduction through the metallic wall dividing the condensation tubing from the vaporization tubing.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1985Date of Patent: July 14, 1987Inventor: Hyok S. Lew
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Patent number: 4671856Abstract: This document describes an improved method and apparatus for recycling energy in counterflow heat exchange and distillation. The basis of the invention is transferring heat with thin sheets of material having extensive surface area relative to the flow rate through the system. A distillation apparatus (11 and 12), a counterflow heat exchanger (11), a clothes dryer (FIG. 9), a power generator (FIG. 12), and other embodiments of the invention are described.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1984Date of Patent: June 9, 1987Assignee: Superstill Technology, Inc.Inventor: Stephan B. Sears
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Patent number: 4636283Abstract: In the distillation of fresh water from sea water, the sea water is passed ownwardly in a falling film evaporator through a multiplicity of vertical tube evaporator (VTE) stages and multiple stage flash (MSF) evaporators. After the sea water passes through the first VTE stage where it forms a liquid component and a steam component, the liquid component is distributed evenly into the next VTE stage while the steam component enters an adjoining MSF stage. Condensed fresh water flows downwardly from one MSF stage to the next and experiences flash evaporation. The sea water or brine component and the fresh water distillate flow downwardly through the VTE and MSF stages so that the brine component can be removed from the final VTE stage and the fresh water distillate from the final MSF stage.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1984Date of Patent: January 13, 1987Assignee: D.V.T. Buro fur Anwendung Deutscher Verfahrenstechnik H. MorsyInventor: Gamal E. D. Nasser
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Patent number: 4608119Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating aqueous solutions of hygroscopic organic liquid having boiling points higher than the normal boiling point of water is disclosed. The apparatus includes an airtight evacuated chamber, means for injecting a preheated temperature adjusted solution into the chamber to vaporize water from the solution and produce a concentrated aerosol of organic liquid, and means for coalescing the concentrated aerosol. Also included is a system for recovery of organic vapor leaving the chamber along with the vaporized water.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1984Date of Patent: August 26, 1986Assignee: Niagara Blower CompanyInventor: Jack T. Rowland
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Patent number: 4595459Abstract: A desalinization apparatus includes a section for heating up input saline water using the heat released in subsequent water vapor condensation. A solar heater may be used to raise the saline water to a proper evaporation temperature, and a carrier gas is used as a vehicle for transporting water vapor from evaporation to condensation sections.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1982Date of Patent: June 17, 1986Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hideaki Kusakawa, Junjiro Kai
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Patent number: 4574036Abstract: Polluted industrial waste water having a high chemical demand for oxygen and fine particles in suspension is purified using the following steps: directly heating and evaporating the polluted water without subjecting it to the usual prior steps of mechanical separation such as sieving or decanting; separating sludges from the evaporated water; condensing the evaporated water; subjecting the condensed evaporated water to a physico-chemical purifying process of the coagulation-flocculation type; and filtering the purified condensed evaporated water. The purified water is pure enough to be recycled through a dyeing works. The installation includes an evaporator (10) which is preferably built in several stages with the vapor from each stage other than the first being used to evaporate the polluted water in the next stage.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1983Date of Patent: March 4, 1986Assignee: Ets. Ch. Scareder & FilsInventor: Pierre A. Henriot
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Patent number: 4568428Abstract: A vapor distillation system sprays a mixture of liquids to be distilled into an evacuated vaporizer chamber. The low boiling point components of the mixture will be vaporized while the remainder of the mixture will collect at the bottom of the vaporizer chamber. The collected liquid is recirculated and heated. The recirculating liquid is discharged, and fresh mixture is introduced, as a function of the sensed temperature of the recirculating liquid. The vapor is transferred to a condenser chamber having a water spray head so that the chilled spray condenses the vapor. Both the condenser chamber and the vaporizer chamber have fluid level control systems.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1983Date of Patent: February 4, 1986Assignee: General Signal CorporationInventors: Timothy J. Rigg, Frank Anderson, Richard Curtin
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Patent number: 4555307Abstract: A system for the distillation of sea water comprising a sea water input conduit, an evaporator, a work extractor, a float, a condenser, a distilled water output conduit, and a brine solution output conduit. The evaporator is connected to the input conduit. The work extractor comprises a cylinder, a piston slideably engaging the interior of the cylinder, and a piston rod extending from the piston. The piston rod is pivotally coupled to the float. The cylinder is pivotally attached to a second float. The second float is connected to the first float. A conduit connects the piston-and-cylinder arrangement with the condenser. The condenser communicates with the distilled water output conduit. The evaporator communicates with the brine solution output conduit. The energy for this system is provided by the wave motion of a body of water.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 1983Date of Patent: November 26, 1985Assignee: Williams, Inc.Inventor: Glenn E. Hagen
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Patent number: 4549936Abstract: A combined distillation apparatus and hot liquid system having a hot liquid heater connected to a cold liquid storage tank and in which the distilled liquid delivers its heat to the cold incoming liquid within the cold liquid storage tank so that the cold incoming liquid is preheated for subsequent delivery to the hot liquid heater. A heat dissipation coil located within or closely adjacent to the cold liquid storage tank has a first coil being filled with a coolant, which is the cold incoming liquid captured from the cold liquid storage tank, and a second coil being filled with the distilled liquid so that the distilled liquid may be cooled before re-entering the condenser and mixing with the steam and vapor entering the condenser.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1983Date of Patent: October 29, 1985Inventor: James L. Erickson
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Patent number: 4536257Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, a partition divides an upper chamber into an evaporating chamber and a condensing chamber with a fan in the partition transferring water vapor from the evaporating chamber into the condensing chamber. An external compressor or vacuum pump maintains the system at the desired negative pressure. A salt water intake extends upwardly from a source of salt water and into the evaporating chamber to form a pool therein. The condensed fresh water forms a pool in the condensing chamber which communicates via a vertical discharge column to a U type outlet at the base. An automatic blow down conduit extends from the base of the pool of the salt water in the evaporating chamber to discharge the heavily concentrated salt fraction of the salt water from time to time.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 1982Date of Patent: August 20, 1985Inventor: George Atwell
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Patent number: 4525242Abstract: A heat-transfer medium is heated by a solar heat collector and then adiabatically compressed. The heat-transfer medium thus compressed exchanges heat with the seawater to heat it, and is then adiabatically expanded with the heated seawater being evaporated and the steam thus produced, upon heat exchange with the seawater, changed into fresh water.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 1982Date of Patent: June 25, 1985Inventor: Tomimaru Iida